Tell us about yourself - at least 30 words
I am a biologist and psychologist, former professor of pharmacology at the University of Trieste, where I taught in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Medicine and Psychology. I am currently Visiting Professor at King's College London. Since 1970 I have been carrying out research on tumor progression, stress, depression, psychoncology, and anticancer and nervous system drugs, also in relation to life events and constitutional genetic factors. The results obtained indicate that stressful life events, depression, and despair-impotence, favor the progression of tumors and attenuate the effectiveness of anticancer treatments In this sense I have gained specific experience in individual and group psychotherapy, particularly in oncology, and guidance to meditation also as a mode of personal growth. The results of the research have been the subject of over 170 publications, communication at national and international scientific congresses, and the subject of several books. Thanks to the experience of president of Ethics Committees, I have dealt with the effectiveness and safety of the treatments used in health care, in particular psychotropic drugs, and among them antidepressants.
During my professional life I have dedicated myself with intensity and sincerity to research in the world of health and teaching. In my university career I have focused on advancing knowledge of the functioning of the human body, the diseases that can affect it, and their treatment. In doing so, I focused on overcoming arbitrary beliefs, and I tried to communicate this to the generations of students who were my students. At the same time, the quest to overcome illusory beliefs and existential suffering led me to Buddhism. I started practicing Zen in 1978 in the United States, in the Zendo of Washington DC connected to the Zen Study Society of New York, founded and governed by Eido Shimano Roshi. Upon returning to Europe, I practiced for some time in Milan in the then small Zen center of Via Trebbia, with Ferdinando Nason Ryusui Zensen. I later discovered the existence of the Monastery Scaramuccia Zenshinji in the hills of Orvieto, founded and governed by Master Engaku Taino, in the Rinzai tradition and in the lineage of Yamada Mumon Roshi. Since then I have continued the practice in Scaramuccia, being ordained a lay monk with the name of Shiryo in 1981, and over the following years recognized as a master of meditation and Dharma. In 1985 I was in Sogenji in Okayama, where I also participated in a sesshin with Harada Shodo Roshi, also a student of Yamada Mumon. I am the referent of the Zazenkai of Trieste, where weekly meditation meetings and a summer residential course in Carnia have been held.
How did you hear about Eleusis?
Following David Brazier books
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Yes
Are you interested in the Diploma Programme in Buddhist Psychology course?
No
Other information / things you can offer
Rinzai Zen meditation and training in Trieste, Italy http://www.tulliogiraldi.it/it_IT/
